after-effects
Use when implementing Disney's 12 animation principles in Adobe After Effects
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill after-effects- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads after-effects automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
After Effects Animation Principles
Implement all 12 Disney animation principles using After Effects' powerful animation tools.
1. Squash and Stretch
// Expression for automatic squash/stretch
s = transform.scale[1];
x = 100 + (100 - s) * 0.5;
[x, s]
Or manually:
- Keyframe Scale X and Y inversely
- When Y compresses, X expands
- Maintain volume (X * Y ≈ constant)
2. Anticipation
Timeline structure:
- 0-10f: Wind-up (crouch, pull back)
- 10-12f: Transition
- 12-30f: Main action
- 30-40f: Settle
Use Easy Ease on anticipation keyframes for smooth wind-up.
3. Staging
Techniques:
- Use depth of field (Camera > Depth of Field)
- Apply blur to background layers
- Use vignettes to direct focus
- Adjust opacity of secondary elements
- Light the main subject brighter
4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose
Pose to Pose (recommended):
- Set keyframes at key poses
- Fill in breakdowns
- Use Graph Editor to adjust timing
Straight Ahead:
- Animate frame-by-frame
- Use Onion Skin (Layer > Onion Skin)
5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
// Delay expression for child layers
thisComp.layer("Parent").transform.position.valueAtTime(time - 0.05)
Or:
- Offset child keyframes by 2-5 frames
- Use parenting with delayed wiggle
- Apply spring expression to end values
6. Slow In and Slow Out
- Select keyframes > F9 (Easy Ease)
- Graph Editor > Adjust bezier handles
- Steeper curve = faster movement
- Flatter curve = slower movement
// Custom ease expression
ease(time, inPoint, outPoint, startValue, endValue)
7. Arc
Techniques:
- Draw motion path with Pen tool
- Use Position property's bezier handles
- Layer > Transform > Auto-Orient
- Apply path from shape layer to position
8. Secondary Action
- Animate main action first
- Add secondary on separate layer/property
- Offset timing slightly
- Secondary should complement, not compete
Example: Character waves → Hair follows → Clothing shifts
9. Timing
| Frames | Feel |
|---|---|
| 2-4 | Snappy, instant |
| 6-8 | Quick, energetic |
| 12-15 | Normal pace |
| 20-30 | Slow, heavy |
| 40+ | Dramatic, weighted |
Adjust composition frame rate for overall feel (24fps cinematic, 30fps smooth).
10. Exaggeration
// Overshoot expression
amp = 15;
freq = 3;
decay = 5;
t = time - key(numKeys).time;
if (t > 0) {
value + amp * Math.sin(t * freq * Math.PI * 2) / Math.exp(t * decay);
} else {
value;
}
Push values 20-50% beyond realistic:
- Larger scales
- Wider rotations
- More dramatic timing
11. Solid Drawing
- Use 3D layers for depth
- Apply cameras with perspective
- Animate Z position
- Use light and shadow
- Consider volume in all poses
12. Appeal
Design principles:
- Clear silhouettes at every pose
- Smooth curves over sharp angles
- Consistent character proportions
- Pleasing timing patterns
- Clean, readable motion paths
Essential Expressions
// Wiggle
wiggle(frequency, amplitude)
// Loop
loopOut("cycle")
// Time remap
timeRemap = linear(time, 0, duration, 0, 1)
// Bounce
n = 0;
if (numKeys > 0) {
n = nearestKey(time).index;
if (key(n).time > time) n--;
}
if (n == 0) t = 0;
else t = time - key(n).time;
amp = 80; freq = 3; decay = 8;
value + amp*Math.sin(freq*t*2*Math.PI)/Math.exp(decay*t);
Export Options
- Lottie: Bodymovin plugin → JSON
- GIF: Media Encoder
- Video: H.264, ProRes
- Sprite Sheet: Scripts > Render Sprite Sheet
FAQ
What does the after-effects skill do?
Use when implementing Disney's 12 animation principles in Adobe After Effects
How do I install after-effects?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill after-effects in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/after-effects/ (personal) or .claude/skills/after-effects/ (project).
Which AI agents can use after-effects?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is after-effects safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains after-effects?
It is published by dylantarre in dylantarre/animation-principles. It has 892 recorded installs.
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